SA shoppers 'splurge online'
2007-04-05 14:32
Staff writer
Johannesburg - Despite perceptions that the internet is an unsafe place to shop as fraudsters try their luck, online marketplace bidorbuy.co.za reports that SA consumers are happier than ever before to shop online for high-value goods.
The company said turnover for March 2007 came in at R6.2m - an all-time high for the company - even pipping the performance over the lucrative December holiday period.
Bidorbuy first opened its virtual doors for business in 1999, bringing buyers and sellers together and allowing them to buy and sell virtually anything in an auction format.
"With over 6.5m page impressions and 372 000 new visitors visiting the website during the last month, it shows a renewed confidence in South African e-business," said business manager Gillian Meier.
Bidorbuy is a member of the Online Publishers Association, which independently verifies the stats.
"We realise that security is still regarded as one of the largest barriers inhibiting online shopping and as a result we have continued to invest resources, time and capital in enhancing bidorbuy's security measures in the interest of providing our community with the reassurance that our website is a safe place for them to trade," says bidorbuy business manager Gillian Meier.
R38 000 diamond ring bought online
"Last week a first-time buyer purchased a diamond ring for R38 000 on bidorbuy and agreed to have the item couriered to him via a local courier service without even having touched the item.
"The buyer commented that due to the high value of the purchase he naturally was a little apprehensive and the fact that the item was being sold online had no bearing on his decision to purchase the ring," Meier.
In another instance, a rare South African coin set was successfully sold for R35 000 in the past month on bidorbuy.
Bidorbuy says the transactions show the need for website owners and technologists to make sure they are always one (or ten) steps ahead of online fraudsters.
"There is no room for complacency and constant enhancements and improved security measures should be implemented to ensure that the industry will continue to grow."
- Finance24